clang

1 of 2

verb

ˈklaŋ 

clanged; clanging; clangs

intransitive verb

1

a

: to make a loud metallic ringing sound

anvils clanged

b

: to go with a clang

2

: to utter the characteristic harsh cry of a bird

transitive verb

: to cause to clang

clang a bell

clang

2 of 2

noun

1

: a loud ringing metallic sound

the clang of a fire alarm

2

: a harsh cry of a bird (such as a crane or goose)

Synonyms

Noun

• clank
• clash
• rattle
• clangor
• ring
• thump
• clink
• whang

Examples of clang in a Sentence

Verb

His fork clanged against the plate.

The prison door clanged shut.

The guard clanged the door shut.

Noun

the horseshoe hit the stake with a satisfying clang

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Moments later, blue strobes flashed, warped guitar rang out and pounding drums clanged. —Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Sep. 2025

Looking rattled, Molina walked Alejandro Kirk, setting up Varsho’s second two-run homer of the night — this one clanging off the third-deck facade in right, 467 feet from home plate. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 6 Aug. 2025

Noun

The clang of a political gong is deafening. —Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Sep. 2025

Like the clang of bells, the sound bypassed my ears and punched the air from my lungs. —Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin clangere; akin to Greek klazein to scream, bark, Old English hliehhan to laugh

First Known Use

Verb

1576, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for clang

• bang
• chuang
• dang
• drang
• fang
• gang
• gangue
• hang
• hange
• kang
• kiang
• langue

Kids Definition

clang

1 of 2 verb

ˈklaŋ 

: to make or cause to make a loud ringing sound

clang

2 of 2 noun

: a loud ringing sound like that made by pieces of metal striking together